Hand check tunnelled mattress cover

Abstract

A mattress cover for use with air inflated mattresses that includes an integral hand check tunnel formed as part of the cover. The cover includes a top, a bottom, and sides extending between the top and bottom. Openings are formed along the longitudinal sides of the cover and permit access to an enclosed tunnel that extends between the sides of the mattress cover. Flaps are attached to the sides of the mattress cover over the openings along with devices for selectively opening and closing the openings. A caregiver can verify proper inflation of an air mattress placed within the cover by opening the flaps and extending a hand into the tunnel. The cover can be used with a single air inflated air mattress with the tunnel overlying the mattress, in a dual configuration where one air mattress is placed over the other with the tunnel being placed between the mattresses, or with an air mattress placed upon a foam base with the tunnel being placed between the mattress and foam base.

We claim:  
     
       1. A hand check tunnelled mattress cover comprising, 
       a mattress cover for air inflated mattresses for therapeutic use, having a top, a bottom, and sides therebetween defining the cover, including its width and length dimensions;  
       corresponding openings in the opposing sides of the cover midway along its length dimension;  
       an enclosed tunnel within and independent of the top and bottom of the cover, connecting the openings in the opposing sides of the cover; and  
       flaps attached to the cover above the openings having means for selectively opening and closing the openings.